How serious are the parties, especially big fossil fuel exporters like the U.S., about leaving fossil fuels in the ground? Will they end subsidies for fossil fuels and cancel projects like the Keystone XL oil pipelines (check)? Or wil they instead pass legislation to continue subsidizing dirty fuels and export oil, gas and coal (as our Congress is proposing right this moment).

Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz is planning a hearing today on whether climate change is “Data or Dogma.” Cruz would get laughed out of the Paris climate talks, but he’s also a serious contender for President – which is itself incredibly disturbing. And it casts a long shadow over the talks here that senior members of our government (Cruz chairs a Senate Subcommittee) are still denying the science and refusing to act on climate.

Whatever deal is produced here in Paris, it won’t be the end of our fight. In fact it will just be a small stop on the way to the progress we need to keep 80% of fossil fuels in the ground and finance a just transition to 100% clean energy by 2050. This climate treaty will, at best, show us the status of what we’ve been able to demand from world governments. It won’t be nearly enough to stop climate change – yet. But it’s possible that if we can get an agreement this week, not any agreement at all, but one that sets an ambitious target, and gives us the framework and transparency to come back again and again and demand more … it might just be enough for us to declare victory and go home to the U.S. with an incredible plan for further action.

Environmental Action | Since 1970

Founded at the first Earth Day with a mission to protect the planet and all of us who live on it, we are Environmental Action. We stand up to big polluters, take on the corrupt politicians and give everyone in America a chance to be an environmentalist with simple, powerful actions. Ready to take action for the planet? You're in the right place.